Timing of feeding a protein supplement on nitrogen balance and plasma amino acids during exercise recovery in horses.
Abstract: Eight geldings weighing 544 ± 16 kg were used to evaluate feeding a postexercise protein meal on plasma amino acids during recovery. Horses were fed sweet feed, corn, grass hay and equal amounts of a protein pellet (32% CP) with meals (MP group) or postexercise (EP group). Horses exercised 1-2 h/day, 5 days/week, for 12 weeks. A pre and poststudy 4 days total urine and feces collection was conducted. Urine and fecal samples were analyzed for nitrogen (N) to calculate N balance. Blood samples were drawn immediately after and at 1 and 3 h postexercise at the start and end of the study for plasma amino acid concentrations. Absorbed N and N retention were greater for the MP group compared to the EP group (p = 0.038, 0.033 respectively). An interaction revealed an increase in fecal N (p = 0.01) and decreased N digestibility for the MP group compared to the EP group at the end of the study. Plasma concentrations for 8 out of 14 amino acids were less for the EP group immediately after exercise compared to the MP group (p < 0.02). Plasma concentrations of lysine and arginine were greater for the EP group compared to the MP group at 1 and 3 h after exercise (p < 0.05 and 0.04 respectively). Changes were different for 8 out of the 14 amino acids immediately post exercise, 7 out of 14 amino acids at 1 h postexercise and 10 out of 14 amino acids at 3 h postexercise with positive changes for the EP group and negative changes for the MP group. The EP group had improved supply of plasma amino acids in the recovery period that sustained for 3 h postexercise and are indicative of better amino acid supply supporting muscle development.
© 2024 Wiley‐VCH GmbH. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Publication Date: 2024-07-02 PubMed ID: 38953505DOI: 10.1111/jpn.14012Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research investigates the effect of providing a protein supplement to horses before meals or after exercise on their nitrogen balance and plasma amino acid levels during recovery. The results suggest that feeding horses a protein supplement after exercise may support better muscle development by sustaining the supply of plasma amino acids during the recovery period.
Research Methodology
- The study involved eight geldings (castrated male horses), each weighing around 544 ± 16 kg.
- The horses were divided into two groups: those that received equal amounts of a protein pellet (containing 32% crude protein) during their meals (the Meal Protein or MP group), and those that received the protein pellet after exercising (Exercise Protein or EP group).
- The horses underwent an exercise routine of 1-2 hours per day, five days per week, over the course of 12 weeks.
- Both before and after this 12-week period, researchers collected urine and feces samples from the horses for over four days. These samples were analyzed for their nitrogen content in order to assess nitrogen balance in the horses.
- Blood samples were also drawn from the horses immediately after exercise, as well as 1 and 3 hours post-exercise, at the start and end of the study. These blood samples were analyzed to determine plasma amino acid concentrations.
Findings and Conclusions
- The research found that absorbed nitrogen and nitrogen retention were significantly higher in the MP group compared to the EP group.
- The researchers also detected an interaction that suggested an increase in fecal nitrogen and decreased nitrogen digestibility in the MP group compared to the EP group by the end of the study.
- When the horses were examined immediately post-exercise, plasma concentrations of eight out of fourteen measured amino acids were lower in the EP group compared to the MP group.
- However, plasma concentrations of lysine and arginine (two amino acids) were significantly higher in the EP group compared to the MP group one and three hours after exercise.
- This trend of divergent changes in plasma amino acid levels extended for several of the amino acids at the different monitoring points post-exercise, with seven out of fourteen amino acids evidencing differences an hour after exercise and ten out of fourteen showing differences three hours after exercise.
- Importantly, these changes were positive for the EP group and negative for the MP group.
- Based on these findings, the study concluded that feeding horses a protein supplement after exercising results in a beneficial and sustained supply of plasma amino acids during recovery, pointing to the potential for improved support of muscle development in horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Graham-Thiers P, Bowen K.
(2024).
Timing of feeding a protein supplement on nitrogen balance and plasma amino acids during exercise recovery in horses.
J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl).
https://doi.org/10.1111/jpn.14012 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Equine Studies, Emory & Henry College, Emory, Virginia, USA.
- Department of Equine Studies, Emory & Henry College, Emory, Virginia, USA.
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